Five years behind bars

A MAN has been sentenced to five years in jail for having sex with a 12-year-old girl four years ago.

Niraj Prasad, 24, was convicted of defilement after a trial in the Magistrates Court in Suva. The court said the aggravating factor in the case was the age difference between the accused and victim.

The court said Prasad took advantage of the young girl's vulnerability and showed no remorse as he maintained his innocence, even during mitigation.

The mitigating factors the court took into account were that Prasad was young, married and had a six-month-old child to look after. Also considered in mitigation was that Prasad was a sole breadwinner and looked after his mother. He has 28 days to appeal.